Larry Karpenko steps into the holiday season with Celebrate the King, a richly layered Christmas album, reverent and joyfully alive. He merges jazz, gospel, pop, and cinematic storytelling and turns it into a cohesive celebration of faith, family, and wonder. Sparked by the realization that heโd never released a full holiday collection, Karpenko uses this album as a musical embrace that honors tradition while daring to stretch it in new, vibrant directions. Recorded at Kreation Records Studio in Loma Linda, California, the project is deeply collaborative, shaped by longtime musical partners, spontaneous improvisation, and moments of prayerful reflection that give the record a palpable sense of intention and warmth.
The journey opens gently with โLullaby for a King,โ which tenderly paints the nativity in soft colors, easing listeners into a space of quiet awe. From there, the album begins to flex its stylistic range. โOne Small Childโ arrives with cinematic flair, pairing driving rhythms and dramatic melodies with gypsy violin touches that feel straight out of a spy film montage. โWhat Child Is Thisโ shifts gears again, leaning into a smooth, jazzy groove with a subtle 1970s glow, proving how comfortably Karpenko reimagines familiar material without losing its soul.
Midway through, โMary, Did You Know?โ stands tall as a modernized string ballad, acoustic guitar and soaring melodies carrying emotional weight with a fresh, focused arrangement. The warmth deepens on โChristmas Time Is Here,โ a cozy, jazz-inflected nod to Vince Guaraldi, like snowfall is resting outside a lit window. Things swing harder on โHark! The Herald,โ where big-band energy, loose brass, and joyful momentum take over the room.
At the heart of it all is โCelebrate the King,โ a burst of gospel-pop joy, tailor-made for dancing kitchens and packed sanctuaries alike, all whistles, grooves, and unfiltered celebration. The album closes in a more intimate space with โAdore,โ a relaxed, worshipful duet that brings everything back to stillness.
Celebrate the King soundtracks and reframes Christmas, reminding listeners that reflection and celebration can live side by side, and that joy sounds even better when shared.
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Review by: Naomi Joan